17The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. Zeph 3:17

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Perhaps Today? Perhaps this year!

This evening as we spend time in review of the past year and anticipation of the year ahead, it occurs to me afresh how remarkable time really is.  The incredible Almighty already knows what is ahead in this new chapter, and the next one, and the next.
He knows the beginning from the end; to Him they are one.
 John, in the21st chapter of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, opens with these beautiful words.
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
How wonderful! The former things have passed away. Behold, He makes all things new! Why? Because, as the next verses tell us, He IS the Alpha and the Omega. He IS the beginning and the end.
The final chapter shows Him coming to us. Three times in fact, he exhorts us to be ready for He is coming QUICKLY. We know not the day or the hour. Perhaps today? Perhaps in this new year?
Paul’s final words, could not be more hopeful, “Even so, Lord, come!”
Do you look forward in eager anticipation for the coming of the Lord? Or are you terrified by the idea? As you spend time in introspection, ask yourself the question, if the Lord of Glory came to you tonight, do you have your spiritual house in order? Have you kept short accounts? Do you, like the wise virgins, have your lamps ready with oil (which represents the Holy Spirit), so that when the bridegroom comes you are ready to go with Him?
Or, do you need to accept the gift of His forgiveness of sins?  Do you have sins you need to confess and repent of? Do you need to recommit? Do you need to be more resolute about abiding in Him being filled with the Holy Spirit?
We may not know what the coming year holds; we may not know if this will be the year of His return. But, of this we can be sure – we are now one year closer to that Glorious Day! 
Perhaps Today? Perhaps this year! Even so Lord, come! AMEN!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Global Evangelism via "Comments"

Well, it was my intention to use some quiet time this evening to write another post. However, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”   I’m learning to always say, “Lord willing…” as my mother-in-love has taught me.
Instead, I spent this evening doing another thing I love to do. It is still writing, and it is still sharing God’s love and encouragement. 
I confess, I love to go onto the comment boards of articles that promise to be controversial and get into spiritual conversations with non-believers.  Now, don’t worry. I don’t do it to be confrontational. I am using it to
·         hone my bible defense skills,
·         practice speaking the truth in love
·         share the good news to those who are perishing, and
·         encourage believers I’ll never meet this side of heaven.
It is very exciting, especially when you get the chance to see someone who is clearly aggressively anti-Christian step back and admit that we’re not all “a bunch of hypocrites,” or that we don’t hate people who don’t believe.
There was one particular man I hope to meet at the throne, who was openly hostile toward America and specifically Christians. Over the course of several conversations, I watched him soften. In our last conversation, I found out that his daughter was volunteering in a medical clinic in a war zone and that he had lost his son in a war. I asked him if I could pray for him and his daughter. Based on his response, he was clearly moved to tears. He said that he would be honored, and I never saw him there again spouting anti-Christian, anti-American rhetoric.
I would encourage you to give it a try. It is much easier to do than face-to-face evangelism. Yet, it will challenge your bible knowledge and skills.  Just remember to have a bible with a concordance available or, I just open an extra tab and keep biblegateway.com up and ready to use at a moment’s notice.
This evening’s foray involved a Christian who hates Jews, at least I think he was Christian. It was hard to tell for all his yelling and ugly epithets. However, he did respond courteously when challenged respectfully to be less offensive.
One warning: It can be very time-consuming and addictive! Enjoy!  

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

"Get Your House in Order"

As we look to begin another new year, we are reminded again of new beginnings. We may have plans of resolve to start fresh – again. More exercise, healthier eating, wiser financial decisions, deeper spiritual walk.
As Proverbs suggests, we should seek wisdom as we would fine jewels (Proverbs 2:4). And, if we ask for wisdom, the Lord will give it ungrudgingly and without reproach (James 1:5). Perhaps we could look to the example of 2 Old Testament leaders for biblical precedent in order to proceed in wisdom.
Let’s consider King Joash and Nehemiah. Both are credited with new beginnings, King Joash by repairing the house of God and Nehemiah by rebuilding the wall.  Both men concentrated on performing the necessary work to get God’s house in order.
As we move into the coming year, let’s consider – do I have my house in order?  Are there things I need to repair to prepare for the year ahead? 
Our God is a God of order, not of chaos. We cannot be at peace in our spirit, if we are surrounded by chaos.  We cannot build new correct habits on the rubble of previous decay. We must repair first, before we can build.
Not much is told to us of the account of King Joash, which can be found in 2 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 24.  We know that he ordered the priests to levy a tax for the purpose of repairing the temple, and they in turn hired tradesmen to do the work.
The account of Nehemiah is much more complete. We are told in great detail how Nehemiah proceeded. We see from the very first verses of the Book of Nehemiah the key to his success. Initially, he lamented the condition of Jerusalem, then he fasted and prayed. He openly confessed that the deplorable condition of Jerusalem was a direct result of the sin of the people.  They had not been obedient to God, and therefore His favor was not upon them. He confessed the sin of his people to the Lord and asked his forgiveness.   
In the presence of King Ataxerxes he was sullen, causing the king to ask Nehemiah why and what he would like to request of him. Before a word slipped past his tongue, he prayed.   Led of the Lord, Nehemiah requested time to go make the repairs and notes to the kings for safe passage to Jerusalem.
When he arrived in Jerusalem, he went and toured the land to see what needed to be done. He did this privately and in a very deliberate manner.  When he had a carefully thought out plan, he then approached the men of Jerusalem.  And so on. He did nothing rash, but was purposeful and wise and prayerful in each step he took.  And the Lord blessed all that he did.
Also, in Luke 14 Jesus reminds us that when we are going to build, we should prepare in advance and count the cost. "For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone will see and ridicule him..."
As we approach the new year and attempt to get our house in order, may the Lord help us to remember Nehemiah and may He grant us the wisdom to proceed in repairing and rebuilding. May He grant us also the perseverance to finish the work we begin. May we look back at the end of the coming year with amazement of all the Lord was able to accomplish through us.
If your house is in order and in no need of repair, you have my deep admiration.  May He bless you instead with spiritual growth and prosperity in the coming year.


Monday, December 26, 2011

The Story of the Cracked Pot

Once upon a time, there was a water bearer. Each day he would take his two pots to the water to fill them and carry them back home on a pole across his back.
One pot was a fine, strong and beautiful pot. He was very proud. But, the other pot was not so fine. Each day as the water bearer walked back to the master’s house, the poor old pot would spill half of its water through a crack in his side.
One day the pot could contain himself no longer and lamented to the water bearer. “Why do you put up with me! Why don’t you just replace me!  Every day I spill half my water on the ground. I am useless to you!”
The water bearer was moved with compassion for the pot. He held him gently and said to him, “As we return to the house today, I want you to take special notice of the flowers along the way.”
So as they journeyed once again to the master’s house, the pot did notice the beautiful flowers along the path. 
As they reached the house, the water bearer asked the pot, “Did you see the flowers?”
“Yes, they are lovely,” replied the pot.
“But, did you notice that they are only on your side of the path?  You see,” he continued, “I have always known about the crack in your side and so I planted flowers on your side of the path. Each day as we walk back to the house, the water flowing from the crack in your side waters them.  If it were not for the crack in your side, we would not have beautiful flowers to grace the Master’s table.”

Dedicated to the flowers the Lord planted on my path - Rose, Joe, Lily, and Daisy (If the Lord can use this cracked pot, surely He can use anyone!)

This is NOT an original story. I tried to research the author, but the author is unknown and there are many versions available.

Through Ignorance

What an interesting venture through the Word I have had this evening.  If you have never had this experience, might I suggest it?  Ask the Lord to open your eyes to His word, and ask Him to lead you to see scripture in a new way.  Then ask Him to lead you to the scripture through which He would like to reveal more of Himself.
Tonight, He led me to Acts 3:17. An obscure verse to be sure. “And, now brethren, I wot (understand) that through ignorance ye did it (crucified the Savior), as did also your rulers.” Read in context, Peter is using the healing of a lame man as an opportunity to preach the gospel. Time and place put him before the very people who only a few short months prior likely cried out, “Crucify Him!”
Can you imagine? It is painful when someone points out our errors, but what if the error was killing the Son of God? And yet Peter says to them, I understand that you did not know what you were doing; you did it so that scripture would be fulfilled. But repent, he tells them in verse 19, it was still sin. Then you can enjoy “a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.”
What an interesting concept, but what could the Lord be trying to show me? And so I followed the cross-references in the margin to 1 Timothy 1:13. Here Paul is describing to Timothy the condition of his life before the Lord called him. “…BUT,” he says, “I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
What a beautiful message. How sublime to know that the Lord of glory shows us clearly by biblical precedent that we can obtain mercy for our sins committed in ignorance.
It seems a bit basic, yet have we truly accepted His forgiveness for all of our past sins?  Have you committed sin more heinous than calling out for the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory? And yet, Jesus said regarding them, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Or have you, like Paul ordered and observed the deaths of the saints? And yet, the Lord forgave Paul and then called him to ministry to be used mightily for the Kingdom.
“But what of my sins that were not committed in ignorance?” you may ask.  Remember, the prodigal son? Do not overlook the fact that he already knew the father.  He knew that asking for his inheritance while his father was living was a supreme insult.  He knew he had behaved so badly he had no right to even ask for forgiveness.  He knew he deserved nothing and would have been satisfied to be a servant in his Father’s house.
And yet… all the time his son was wandering further away with his back to him, the father yearned to show mercy and have his son back.  And yet, not only did he lower himself to the degradation of running, he ran to him, embraced him, and then had a party for him.  The son had not acted in ignorance, but rather in full knowledge. And yet, he received full pardon by the loving mercy of the father.
Thank You Lord for mercy beyond our understanding. Thank You for forgiveness for even the most egregious, willful acts of rebellion. We are not worthy of love so divine!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Content with Little of God?


In his book "The Pursuit of God," A.W. Tozer begins by reminding us that we pursue God because He first pursues us.  This prevenient pursuit must be reciprocated, and so it grows.  However, he asserts, "Christ may be 'received' without creating any special love for Him in the soul of the receiver.  The man is 'saved,' but he is not hungry nor thirsty after God.  In fact he is specifically taught to be satisfied and encouraged to be content with little."

How sad… Lord, may it never be so! May we never be content with little of You!

I was blessed early in my walk with the Lord to be told by a strong woman of God that one could have as much of God as she wanted and she advised praying for a thirst and hunger for God.  How right she was!  I have never regretted praying this. 

As I have prayed it, it never ceases to amaze me to see God move.  We are not to pray for a sign from God to prove Himself, however, God does enjoy when we are awed by Him.  As Moses showed us by example, the Lord likes to be asked to show His glory, especially when we respond with the appropriate wonder. 

I can’t help but think of Beth Moore’s description of praise at such times, found in “A Man After God’s Own Heart:”

At times our praises though unplanned, are as quiet as a whisper – times when our spirits identify the goodness of God and we quietly, reverently acknowledge His worthiness. At other times praise is absolutely compulsory – times when we would burst if we did not praise; times when whispers are hard to contain; times when hands are difficult to stay; times when knees seem to bend by themselves; times when spirit, soul, and body join in compulsory harmony, “How great You are, O Sovereign Lord, no one is like You!”

(Question referring to Luke 19:40 – If I quiet the throngs… “the rocks and stones themselves would start to sing!”) 

That’s compulsory praise! Every now and then we enjoy a moment void of doubt and full of mystery, when we’re overwhelmed with humility yet stunned with possibility. Moments when we realize with every one of our senses that He stands alone. “No one – no mate, no child, no preacher, no teacher, no ruler, no principality, no one is like You!” Nothing is quite like suddenly realizing that nothing is like Him.

If you have never had one of these experiences, I pray the Lord will reveal Himself to you in a special way. I pray the God of the universe will fill your heart with hunger and thirst for Him. I pray He will show Himself to you in such a way that your knees will buckle in awe and praise! Nothing and no one is like our God! Praise You, Lord! Amen!

Monday, December 19, 2011

The Thing Which I Greatly Feared

Whenever I begin to write short pieces like this, I begin by praying for the Lord to reveal to me what He would have me say to benefit others. So, I was a bit confused this morning when He led me to the book of Job and chapter 3.

"Why, Lord, would you lead me to such a dismal and dark place in order to bring encouragement to someone, when other places in Your word are far more inspirational?" What purpose could God possibly have?

And then I saw it, in verse 25. "For the thing which I have greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come to me." 

So often in life, in the quiet moments between the busyness, I allow myself to consider the many fearful things that could come upon me and mine. Most often those fears revolve around my children and their safety.  I allow myself to get anxious over the “what if's.”

Job was required by God's permissive will to face our worst fears.  My soul faints when I contemplate, "What if that were me?” Would I have the spiritual fortitude to proclaim as he did, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord?"

But we know the end of the story. We know that the Lord blessed him with more sons and daughters and more possessions than what he had before. We know from the many examples in His Word that God is good and He is to be trusted, even when we don’t understand the circumstances.

Although Paul did not include Job in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, it would not be implausible to say he could have included “By faith Job proclaimed the goodness of God, when he said, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord.’” When he made this statement, he had not yet received any promise from God or any sign that he would have everything restored.  He simply believed that God was good and could be trusted when everything seemed to indicate otherwise.

In her study, Believing God, Beth Moore encourages us to such faith.  She has her students write in their bibles after Hebrews 11:40, “41 By faith (your name)…”  Mine now says “41By faith Cindy…” We will spend the remainder of our days filling in the …  She challenges us to determine what our faith legacy will be.

In whatever circumstance you find yourself today, my friend, will you choose to “By faith… ?”  Will you proclaim the goodness of our mighty God even from the depths of your valley?

Dear Lord God, I pray for whoever it is that You had in mind when you led me to this scripture.  I pray that whatever challenge they are facing now in these times will one day, in retrospect, be a time of blessing through growth.  Lord, we know that You are in the process of refining us and that You are conforming us into the image of the likeness of Your Son. We know that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in us until the day of Your return.  I pray that you will give my brother or sister the strength to submit to the growing and to also proclaim by faith, “blessed be the name of the Lord!”By faith we proclaim together Your goodness. Our God is an awesome God! Praise You, Father! Amen!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Delight in His Presence

A.W. Tozer is undoubtedly one  of the finest writers of recent time.  One of my favorite of his works is "The Pursuit of God." If you have not read any of his writing, may I encourage you.  It is phenomenal.

I have begun reading it again, so the next days will likely be spent sharing quotes from my reading. I hope it whets your appetite to search out some of his work.

"Sound Bible exposition is an imperative must in the Church of the Living God.  Without it no church can be a New Testament church in any strict meaning of that term.  But exposition may be carried on in such way as to leave the hearers devoid of any true spiritual nourishment what ever.  For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying  knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts."

Ahhhh...to delight in His Presence, selah (means pause, and think about that)! ...to tast and know His sweetness in the core of my heart!  And to think such bliss is available to us at any time as His beloved children.  "Lord I'm amazed by you, how You love me! How wide, how deep, how great is your love for me!"

Lord, I praise You! I thank you that You are such a great and mighty God, yet You have deigned to allow me, a mere speck in the grand scheme of the universe, to call you "Daddy." Thank you that because of who You are, You gave a way for us to have the right to become sons and daughters of You, the Most High. Thank You that I am able in my spirit to climb up on your lap and rest there in Your presence. Praise You, God! Blessed be Your name!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Welcome

Welcome to Acts 13:15!

"15... Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it."

As brothers and sisters in Christ, if you have any word of exhortation, consolation, or encouragement for the people here, please say it!

This blog is designed to be a place of learning, discussion, and encouragement. This will be accomplished by sharing insights from God's Word and through "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."

Over the years since I found salvation, I have thirsted for God's Word. As it says in one of my favorite scriptures "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul panteth after Thee."  I cannot get enough of Him!  Nothing gives me greater joy than to discover new insight into scripture.  Once discovered, it burns inside until I can share it with someone.  I want everyone to know how AWEsome is our God!

And so, this blog...

I hope to make this a place not only to share with you the jewels I have found, but I hope that you will share your gems with me as well, so that together we can give praise to His glory! 

As some of my opinions may be controversial to some, I have a couple of requests for "rules of engagement."  First, please understand that it is NEVER my intention to be offensive.  Though I find intellectual exchanges (debate) to be an exciting way to learn, I realize that some people instead view it as arguing.  I will endeavor to not be confrontational, but please, if you are feeling offended by anything I say, please tell me in order that I might appologize and explain myself.

Second, if you find that you disagree with anything I have said from a scriptural standpoint, please feel free to discuss it. However, please be certain to use scriptural support for your rebuttal.

I also have a passion for collecting and sharing quotes.  For example, one of my favorite by Helen Keller, "I yearn to do great and noble things in my life, but it is my chief responsibility to do small things as if they were great and noble." So, please feel free to share these as well.

Above all, I hope you find this a place to come for edification and encouragement as we run the race marked out before us.  Let's run it together! "It's so much nicer with two." (Winnie the Pooh)

Thank you for coming! Have a blessed day!